A Brief History of Japan
Samurai, Shogun and Zen: the Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun
Tuttle Publishing · Print & ebook · August 1, 2017
This fascinating history tells the story of the people of Japan, from ancient teenage priest-queens to teeming hordes of salarymen, a nation that once sought to conquer China, yet also shut itself away for two centuries in self-imposed seclusion.
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- Who it’s for
- A witty, wide-ranging history connects Japan’s ancient traditions with its modern transformations.
- Themes
- Japanese history, Tradition and modernization, Isolation and global influence
- Genres
- Japanese History, Japan Travel
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This fascinating history tells the story of the people of Japan, from ancient teenage priest-queens to teeming hordes of salarymen, a nation that once sought to conquer China, yet also shut itself away for two centuries in self-imposed seclusion. First revealed to Westerners in the chronicles of Marco Polo, Japan was a legendary faraway land defended by a fearsome Kamikaze storm and ruled by a divine sovereign.
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It was the terminus of the Silk Road, the furthest end of the known world, a fertile source of inspiration for European artists, and an enduring symbol of the mysterious East. In recent times, it has become a powerhouse of global industry, a nexus of popular culture, and a harbinger of post-industrial decline. With intelligence and wit, author Jonathan Clements blends documentary and storytelling styles to connect the past, present and future of Japan, and in broad yet detailed strokes reveals a country of paradoxes: a modern nation steeped in ancient traditions; a democracy with an emperor as head of state; a famously safe society built on 108 volcanoes resting on the world's most active earthquake zone; a fast-paced urban and technologically advanced country whose land consists predominantly of mountains and forests. Among the chapters in this Japanese history book are: - The Way of the Gods: Prehistoric and Mythical Japan - A Game of Thrones: Minamoto vs. Taira - Time Warp: 200 Years of Isolation - The Stench of Butter: Restoration and Modernization - The New Breed: The Japanese Miracle
A Country of Paradoxes
A witty, wide-ranging history connects Japan’s ancient traditions with its modern transformations.
Come here for
- A sweeping view of Japan’s people across centuries
- The contrast between isolation, empire, industry, and tradition
Expect
- Documentary history blended with storytelling
- Broad strokes with plenty of historical detail
Where it sits
| Japanese History | 100% |
|---|---|
| Japan Travel | 31% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Ancient History
- Japanese History
- How Cultures Work
- Authors
- Jonathan Clements
- Publisher
- Tuttle Publishing
- Published
- August 1, 2017
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Japanese history · Tradition and modernization · Isolation and global influence
- Reading lane
- Ancient History